10 Steps to Protect Yourself Now

10 Steps to Protect Yourself Now

The intensity of the Thomas Fire left our mountains with little or no vegetation to prevent the slopes from sliding. With the immediate approach of winter storms, the threat of flash floods and debris flows is now 10 times greater in your community than before the fire – they can happen with little or no warning. Officials may only be able to alert the public with just a few minutes notice, or none at all. It is imperative that you understand the seriousness of the situation and are prepared. Do not delay in taking action to protect you, your family and your property.

To determine if your property is in the impact area, please refer to this interactive map. For residents who do not have access to the Internet, call 211 or (800) 400-1572.

Be prepared to leave before roads, creeks and waterways are flowing, or go to a neighbor on high ground or shelter in-place.

Know all your local access roads and understand that some may be blocked by debris. Have an alternate plan or route. Mudslides can occur even days after a storm when the ground is saturated.

NEVER drive or walk into floodwaters or go around barricades. It is impossible to know how deep the water is just by looking at it.

Consider installing sandbags, straw wattles (rolled erosion control netting filled with straw), and other methods to divert water and reduce erosion on your property. Santa Barbara County Public Works offers sandbags.
For locations and information, call County Flood Control at (805) 568-3440 or go to www.countyofsb.org/pwd/sandbag.sbc.

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Be Radio Ready

During an emergency when the power is out and when critical and timely information must get out to the general public, the County Office of Emergency Management will utilize satellite equipment to regularly communicate with designated County radio stations that have generators and can continue to broadcast.
Visit this link for a list of stations to check if you lose power and cannot access the Internet.